Virtual Appointment
Back10/08/2025
You’ve said yes. There’s a shiny new ring on your finger, your phone hasn’t stopped buzzing, and your nan has already asked about the guest list. Before you spiral into spreadsheets and Pinterest boards, there’s a lovely new tradition worth knowing about “the engagement-moon”.
Think of it as your pre-wedding soft launch: a romantic getaway to celebrate the fact that you’ve just agreed to do life together. It’s not about five-star resorts or matching luggage but about pressing pause, sipping something bubbly, and soaking up the glow before reality (and cake tastings) set in.
Because, honestly, wedding planning is a lot. Between colour palettes, budget spreadsheets, and opinionated relatives, taking a little breather before it all begins just makes sense.
An engagement-moon isn’t about extravagant travel but about intention. It’s your chance to celebrate the “we did it!” moment before “we really need to decide on the chair covers” takes over.
And here’s the magic: it doesn’t need to be expensive. A charming countryside B&B with questionable Wi-Fi can feel just as romantic as a private villa in Tuscany and sometimes even more so!
There are two types of engagement-moon couples:
The Romantic City Break: If cobblestones, candlelight, and too much wine are your thing, head for a European city escape. Paris, Florence, Edinburgh, all highly recommended for couples who like to mix hand-holding with pastry consumption.
The Countryside Escape: Fancy trading emails for echoing hills and fluffy dressing gowns? A weekend in the Cotswolds or the Lake District is your cure. Bonus points if there’s a hot tub involved.
The Coastal Chill: For those who believe love is better with sea air (and chips), head for the coast. Cornwall, Santorini, Mallorca; anything that lets you nap, swim, and drink wine before noon is a winner.
The Adventure Break: If your relationship runs on adrenaline and inside jokes, skip the spa and go hiking, kayaking, or skiing. There’s nothing like nearly tipping over in a canoe to test your communication skills.
The Luxe Staycation: Why travel far when you can play tourist in your own city? Book that fancy hotel you always walk past, order breakfast in bed, and pretend you’re on a five-star!
Think of your engagement-moon as the trailer, and the honeymoon as the full-length feature film.
One celebrates the promise; that exciting “we’re doing this!” stage. The other celebrates the pay-off — the moment you actually do. They’re different chapters of the same love story, and both deserve their own spotlight.
If your heart (and schedule) says yes, absolutely. Not everyone can whisk off straight after a proposal, and that’s perfectly fine. But if the idea of a weekend filled with laughter, late breakfasts, and zero obligations sounds like bliss, then pack the bags.
Because when you look back, you won’t remember the endless planning or the cake flavour debates. You’ll remember the clink of glasses, the sand between your toes, and that sparkling thought: we’re really doing this.